Evidence for a Functional myo-Inositol Oxidation Pathway in Lilium longiflorum Pollen

Addition of myo-inositol to pentaerythritol-based germination media repressed the conversion of d-1-¹⁴C]glucose to labeled uronosyl and pentosyl units of tube wall pectic substance in lily pollen (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.). Conversion of d-1-¹⁴C]glucose to labeled glucosyl, galactosyl, and rhamnosyl units was unaffected. The reverse experiment, addition of d-glucose to pentaerythritol-based media, failed to affect the conversion of myo-2-³H]inositol to uronosyl and pentosyl units although the flow of label into products of myo-inositol-linked glucogenesis was blocked. Results of these experiments are discussed in terms of a functional myo-inositol oxidation pathway.